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Real estate lawyers document and review real estate transactions, including purchases, leases, inspections and appraisals. They also help resolve title insurance and environmental issues. When things go wrong in real estate transactions, real estate lawyers step in to file and defend lawsuits in court. Many real estate lawyers also help lenders carry out a foreclosure, while others help borrowers defend against foreclosure.

Draw up Documents

One of the key roles a real estate lawyer plays is that of document drafter. Real estate attorneys prepare deeds for conveyance transactions, leases and rental agreements, purchase contracts and financing agreements. While state law allows real estate agents to help clients fill out these types of documents, only licensed lawyers can draft and revise the documents.

Negotiate Sweet Deals

Because real estate lawyers have sophisticated experience with many types of real estate transactions, clients often ask their real estate lawyer to negotiate the terms and conditions of real estate deals. This involves working with other attorneys, developers, brokers and investors.

Review Sales Transactions

Some real estate attorneys are involved only in reviewing and providing advice on real estate transactions. Clients will negotiate their deals, sign a contract and then ask the lawyer to perform the "due diligence" on the deal. This means the lawyer will examine legal title issues, environmental issues and reports and any of the contracts or other documents involved in the transaction. Real estate lawyers have training that allows them to spot problems that their clients do not recognize. In this role, the real estate lawyer plays guardian for the clients to make sure the clients don't fall into any unseen legal traps.

Engage in Litigation

Real estate transactions don't always work out, and when they don't, it is common to involve the court in a lawsuit. Real estate lawyers represent their clients in real estate litigation. This includes drafting legal pleadings to file with the judge, participating in hearings and trial with the judge, and filing appeals if necessary. It also includes bargaining with opposing counsel to try and work out settlement agreements.

Handle Foreclosure Proceedings

Many real estate attorneys specialize in mortgage and trust deed foreclosure, particularly during difficult economic times. Some lawyers represent lenders while others represent borrowers. The lawyers representing lenders help guide lenders correctly through the foreclosure process, which may include filing a lawsuit in court. The lawyers representing borrowers, on the other hand, try to make life difficult for the foreclosing lender by challenging any mistakes made in the foreclosure process, and by negotiating with the lender for a settlement agreement to stop the foreclosure process.

About the Author

The Constitution Guru has worked as a writer and editor for "BYU Law Review" and "BYU Journal of Public Law." He is an experienced attorney with a law degree and a B.A. degree in history with an emphasis on U.S. Constitutional history, both earned at Brigham Young University.